MVP – Michael Conn
Co-Offensive Players of the Year – Michael Conn and John Austin Peay
Defensive Player of the Year – John Austin Peay
Mr. Hustle Award – Collin Baber
Most Improved – Luke Jones
All Conference Team – Collin Baber and Michael Conn

Early in the evening, Matt Wallace, Athletic Director, spoke in regards to our football program and its head coach, Todd Hood.  “I had the unique opportunity to be around Coach Pat Summit for two of the Lady Vols National Championship runs, but never have I been so effected, so touched, and learned so much about life as I did this year.  I think Coach Todd Hood showed us all how to love our teams, and more importantly, how to love our families unconditionally.  Being able to sit back and watch Todd has taught me how to be a better coach, a better husband and a better father.”

After this moving introduction by Coach Wallace, Dr. Salyers was called to the podium.  He recalled Coach Hood’s courage, strength and character in the face of personal tragedy and what a powerful life lesson this provided our young men.  Even in the face of significant hardship you can persevere and achieve your goals.  With this in mind and a desire to honor Coach Hood’s late wife Marisa, Dr. Salyers contacted the CA development Office to see if he could solicit funds for a practice field, which has been a dream of Coach Hood’s.  After preliminary drawings and surveys were made (donated by David Smith Engineering) we realized this project was within our reach.  The graduating football player parents were contacted first and have provided a majority of the necessary funds.  Several others closely connected to the program donated the rest of the fully funded project.

On Thursday night at the sports banquet, Dr. Salyers was pleased to announce that the Marisa Maples Hood Memorial Practice Field would be built!  This field will be 65 yards long and will be available for all sports to use.  The field should be completed by fall.  This was something that had been kept a secret from Coach Hood and the Maples family.

After the banquet Hood said, “I was pleasantly surprised at the banquet with the announcement of the new practice field being named after my late wife Marisa Maples Hood. My family and I were honored and very grateful after hearing the announcement. We are truly thankful for the efforts of so many people here at Clarksville Academy and in the community. Marisa was a great mother, wife, daughter, and teacher. She absolutely loved football. Marisa had a very strong desire and will to live and I think that spirit will live on through our team and now with the practice field, for many years to come. This is a blessing for many people and I know Marisa would say, “When are you going to start practicing?” Thanks again to everyone, we are truly blessed. “

Rick and Karen Maples were just as surprised and moved by the gesture,  “Since Justin was in kindergarten we have heard the phrase ‘Clarksville Academy family’. We now know exactly what that means.

When it was announced at the Sports Banquet that the new practice field was going to be named in our daughter’s memory (this had to be the best kept secret in history of C.A.!) we immediately began thinking of the many loving gestures that you have extended to our family.

When you heard that Marisa’s time here was coming to an end it was as though an army of Clarksville Academy angels had arrived to help us. You brought us food, baskets of snacks for the hospital, even gas money for Todd! Your prayers continue to bring us comfort and strength.

We will never forget at Marisa’s funeral the sight of your precious young sons standing quietly in line waiting to offer a handshake and a hug to Justin and their coach. At the following football games your beautiful daughters in their pink bows acknowledged our grief and touched our hearts.

Kay Drew was Marisa’s dear friend and trusted confidant. When Todd was named head coach Marisa knew he would be there with their boys. This gave her tremendous peace of mind.

Your unwavering emotional and spiritual support for Todd, Justin, and Dylan has given us strength as well. Honoring their mother in such a thoughtful and generous way will only become even more significant to Justin and Dylan as they grow older. Your compassion for our family has lifted us up more than you can ever know.

We are so blessed to have you in our lives and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May God bless and keep you all.”

This night designed to honor our athletes, named after Billy Frank Smith in memorial to him for his love of all things CA and his dedication to the sports programs here was one of the best ones yet.  A complete list of all awards given can be found below.  We want to congratulate each athlete for their hard work this year.

List of Awards:

Football MVP– Dylan Ragsdale & Morgan Burman

Football “Offensive MVP Award” –Josh Marciano

Football “Defensive MVP Award” – Daniel Miller

Volleyball MVP– Lauren Maki

Volleyball “Most Improved Award” – Hope Askew

Volleyball “Most Improved Award” – Meg Askew

Boys Soccer MVP – Clay Goad

Girls Soccer MVP – Mallory Burman

Girls Soccer “Most Valuable Offensive Player Award” – Shannon Murtha

Girls Soccer “Most Valuable Defensive Player Award” – Nicki Goad

Girls Golf MVP– AnnaMichelle Moore

Boys Golf MVP– Tyler Phillips

Boys Golf “On the Rise Award” – Collin Welker

Boys Golf “Cougar Award” – Zach Nussbaumer

Cheerleading MVP– Sarah Elrod

Cheerleading “Spirit Award” – Candice Swaffer

Cheerleading “Scholar Award” – Brandi Phillips

Dance Team MVP – Caroline Burchett

Dance “Most Improved” – Elsa Meyners

Dance “Scholar Dancer” – Ashleigh Edlin

Girls Basketball MVP– Lauren Maki

Girls Basketball “Defensive Player of the Year Award” – Carleisha Hanns

Girls Basketball “Most Improved Player of the Year” – Shelby Chapman

Boys Basketball MVP– Montel Lavelanet

Boys Basketball “Most Hustle Award” – Cole Swaffer

Boys Basketball “Cody Hanna Most Dedicated Award” – Kyle Cain

(1^st Recipient of this Award)

**Cody Hanna was recognized at the BFS Memorial All Sports Banquet with the Inaugural Cody Hanna Most Dedicated Award.

Wrestling MVP– Adrian Ortiz

Boys Bowling MVP – Bryan Dirksen

Boys Bowling “Most Improved Award” – Blake Taylor

Boys Bowling “Triumph Award” – Will Bourne

Girls Bowling MVP – Brandi Phillips

Girls Bowling “Most Improve Award” – Shannon Murtha

Girls Bowling “Triumph Award” – Amelia Mathis

Softball MVP – Not Named Yet

Softball “Lady Cougar Award” – Jenny Whitford

Softball “Hustle Award” – Lacey Rainville

Baseball MVP– Not Named Yet

Baseball “Coaches Award” – Bennett Evans

Baseball “Scholar Award” – Brian Conn

Girls Tennis MVP– Anne Marie Darke

Girls Tennis “Most Improved Award” – Anna Kinney

Girls Tennis “Inspirational Award” – Whitley Thompson

Girls’ Tennis “Integrity Award” – Merideth Hinson

Boys Tennis MVP– Shelton Covington

Boys Tennis “Best Performance Award” – Daniel Huang

Boys Tennis “Sportsmanship Award” – Adrian Ortiz

Inaugural Cougar SOAR Award – Austin Esposito

Female Scholar Athlete Award – Lauren Maki

Male Scholar Athlete Award – Brian Conn

Scott Uffelman Award – Daniel Miller

Billy Frank Smith Award – Montel Lavelanet

Drew also announced the promotion of Brittney Rowlett to Director of Challenge Based Learning, the acquisition of Stacie Scott Batson as Curriculum Director and the addition of Brent Bauer as Physical Education/Fitness Teacher as well as Assistant Football Coach.

Coleman is currently is currently serving as Director of Curriculum, a role she readily took on after the unexpected move of Katie Saxon.  She has excelled in this role in a short time, single-handedly overseeing the SACS accreditation committee visit and re-accreditation. Coleman is a graduate of Clarksville Academy and has a degree from Austin Peay State University in English Education with a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. She has served as English Department Chair, Class Sponsor, National Honor Society Sponsor, Mentor Teacher and Editor of the Monday Messenger.

Erica Coleman was a natural fit for this position, according to Mrs. Drew, “Erica has this way of interacting with individuals (parents, students, faculty) that makes you walk away feeling heard and understood.  Her calm demeanor coupled with her high expectation of appropriate student behavior is what will make Erica a strong Head of School.”

Clarksville Academy had over 45 applicants and interviewed four finalists for this position and after careful consideration Erica Coleman was chosen for the job.  Drew said of this hire, “Erica was initially hesitant to apply for this position. However, she soon saw that she could make a great impact in this role.  Her wisdom and success as an educator are far beyond her years.”

Coleman is excited about this new chapter in her life with the Cougar family.  “My love for Clarksville Academy has only intensified over the years. It is a blessing and honor to serve in this new role at a place I consider my second home.  I’m excited to be part of a leadership team that is taking CA to new heights (with technology, rigorous curriculum and expansion plans). I’m looking forward to supporting parents, students, and faculty as Head of Upper School!”

Coleman is married to Stephen and they have one daughter Bailey who is currently enrolled at Clarksville Academy.

Clarksville Academy is also proud to announce the promotion of Brittney Rowlett to Director of Challenge Based Learning.  Rowlett has been a part of the Cougar family for twelve years.  She is currently serving as Upper School Spanish teacher, Head of the Spanish Department, and iTeam member.  This new position to Clarksville Academy will focus on engaging students in a collaborative learning experience in which teachers and students work together to learn about compelling issues, propose solutions to real problems and take action in their community.  Drew said about this new position, “We are thrilled to have a position that will focus on community-based initiatives and help our faculty and students integrate service into our curriculum.”

Rowlett is ready to take on the new challenge presented to her, “I am so excited for the opportunity to begin this newly created role. I am passionate about the importance of engaging students in new ways that reflect the acquisition of 21st century skills while solving real world problems and helping our local community.”

Stacie Scott Batson will join the Clarksville Academy family as Curriculum Director.  Batson comes to CA from West Creek Middle School where she is serving as Assistant Principal.  She has been in school administration for 5 years and before that served as a guidance counselor in Robertson County schools.  Batson said, “I am honored to be asked to be a part of the Clarksville Academy family.  I’ve lived in Clarksville my entire life and have observed CA from afar, it’s a great feeling to finally be a part of this tradition.  This is a wonderful move for both my daughter and me!”  Kay Drew is also excited about what Mrs. Batson brings to CA, “Stacie’s experience and dedication will help lead Clarksville Academy to the next level. We look forward to adding her to our family.”

Brett Bauer is a new addition to our Physical Education department and Assistant Football Coach.  Drew said of this addition, “Coach Bauer has such innovative ideas for our physical education department and I am looking forward to what he will bring to those classes.” Bauer has a long history in education and is currently employed at Kenwood High School.  He is married to Angela Couch Bauer and they have one son, Garrett, who will be an eighth grader at CA next year. Bauer said,  “I am excited and honored to be joining Coach Hood, the staff and the students at Clarksville Academy.  I look forward to continuing to build upon the solid education and athletics that Clarksville Academy is known for.”

Kay Drew remarked, “Clarksville Academy is heading into a new phase, our submersion in technology, tough curriculum standards, innovative ideas and future expansion plans are all part of that new phase.  We now have the leadership structure in place to achieve all our goals!”

For more information on Clarksville Academy visit our website at www.clarksvilleacademy.com.

Click here to read the Leaf Chronicle’s article about the event.  Thanks to all who attended and helped out!

The event would not have been such a success without each and every one of you!

Dylan has had an excellent career at Clarksville Academy. He holds the all-time receiving record in yards with 1,358 on 73 receptions and 18 touchdowns. That’s an astounding 18.6 yards a catch!  Dylan also leaves Clarksville Academy third all-time in tackles with 376.  He is third behind two other great players Danny Kroeger and Daniel Miller.

He received All-District twice and honorable mention his sophomore year in district 10A.  He was also named All -Area twice and was named All-State this past year.

Dylan would like to thank the players, coaches, and fans.

Head Football Coach Todd Hood said, “Dylan is a great leader and a phenomenal football player. Dylan never came off the field on Friday nights, playing every minute of every game. He is going to be a huge asset for Austin Peay. They have signed a great football player.”

Pictured with Dylan is Head Coach Todd Hood, and assistants Mike Marciano and Duncan Williams.

Kari Turner continues to serve the school community in her role as Executive Assistant to the Head of School and also as Director of School Affairs.

Angie Henson will continue to effectively manage student enrollment and business affairs for Clarksville Academy as the Assistant for Enrollment & Finance Administration.

Erica Coleman will be working with faculty to maintain licensure and certification assurance and also focus on curriculum and state and national standards as the Curriculum Director.

Sally Allen will remain in her position working with the school’s development but also adds marketing to her responsibility as Director of Marketing and Development.

Bill Turnage will move to Facilities and Grounds Manager, where he will oversee the day-to-day maintenance management of Clarksville Academy’s facilities and sports complex.

Matt Wallace is the newly named Director of Finance & Administration.  He will also serve as Athletic Director Advisor and continue as Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach.

Jake Peterson accepted the position of Athletic Director.  He will also continue as Head Varsity Golf Coach and Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach.

Kay Drew is excited about this new phase Clarksville Academy’s future, “As our school continues to grow, we as staff must grow with it in order to effectively maintain the level of service we are known for providing.  All of these individuals have displayed leadership qualities that will make them assets in their new positions.”

Matt Wallace accepts this new challenge with Clarksville Academy.  “My love and dedication for Clarksville Academy has only grown in the two years I have worked here.  My family truly feels part of the Cougar family and we are excited about this new opportunity I’ve been offered.”

Jake Peterson embraces the opportunity to follow on the path Matt Wallace has begun to build with Cougar Athletics.  “I have been taught by the mentors in my life that commitment, honesty, and integrity are the most important factors in being a leader. My goal is to use what I have learned to continue building a well-respected and successful athletic department. Matt Wallace has played a vital role in the success of this department and I hope to build off of what he has accomplished.

CA stands for excellence, excellence that has been laid by hard working and respected educators and administrators. I am truly honored and lucky to be a part of such a great family at CA and can’t wait to start a new chapter in my life. My family and I are extremely excited and want to thank Mrs. Kay Drew and the CA family for opening their arms to us.” Matt Wallace current Athletic Director knows Jake Peterson is the right fit for the new AD, “I have great confidence in Jake and his ability to continue to lead Cougar athletics in the right direction! His passion, determination and hard work will bring CA to am all new athletic level.”